Another coalition service member was killed in an insurgent attack in northern Afghanistan, the NATO-led force said.

NPR: 7 American Service Members Killed In Afghanistan

There were no more details of the death of the American in eastern Afghanistan, other than it was "an insurgent attack".

BBC: Afghanistan bomb kills Nato personnel in Zabul

He said security in Helmand was improving, with Afghan forces now responsible for the bulk of the province - but that the environment in which UK troops operated remained "risky and dangerous including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack".

BBC: Afghanistan roadside bomb kills three British soldiers

Arkan Mouhsin tells the Americans he has an idea who may have been behind the attack, that insurgent elements are still intent on destroying stability.

CNN: Iraqi forces now calling the shots

After an evening attack on a base by a small group of insurgent fighters, Afghan soldiers set out at dawn, hoping to provoke the Taliban to attack them, so they could be found and destroyed.

BBC: Afghan soldiers take fight to Taliban 'brothers'

Then, in September, it was the Americans' turn for dismay, after an Afghan insurgent group, the Haqqani network, seen as having close ties to the Pakistani army, launched a prolonged attack on their embassy in Kabul.

ECONOMIST: Relations between the two look increasingly poisonous